The government says a royally-donated cancer drug has reached 215 patients so far. That’s out of 4,420 registered to receive it. Distribution continues toward a target of 23,000 boxes by October.
Deputy government spokesperson Ploythale Laksameesangchan said on August 21 that the National Health Security Office (NHSO) has so far delivered 2,880 boxes of the drug, IMCRANIB, to Lopburi Cancer Hospital, Chulabhorn Hospital, the National Cancer Institute, and Rajavithi Hospital.
Three more shipments are planned to reach the full 23,000 boxes by the end of October. That will expand access for cancer patients under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme, commonly known as the Gold Card.
IMCRANIB is an oral targeted cancer therapy containing imatinib. It’s used to treat chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), a cancer that develops in the muscle layer of the digestive tract.
The drug was donated through NHSO by Professor Dr. HRH Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana. She provided 690,000 tablets, or 23,000 boxes, to be distributed to hospitals nationwide. The donation gives patients across the country free access to an effective cancer treatment. It also eases the financial burden on patients and their families.
Ploythale said the Chulabhorn Royal Academy will be able to produce imatinib in both 100mg and 400mg doses, starting in the 2027 fiscal year. That will let doctors choose the dosage that best fits each patient’s treatment plan. It should make the medication easier to take, and help patients stay on treatment continuously.
“This distribution of royally-donated medicine is another key mechanism that expands access to treatment, eases the financial burden on patients and their families, and strengthens the security of the medicine supply, so the universal health coverage system can care for cancer patients,” Ploythale said.
“It is an act of immeasurable grace toward patients and toward Thailand, giving cancer patients, especially those under the universal health coverage scheme, or the 30-baht Gold Card, wider and more consistent access to effective medicine without having to worry about the cost.”
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